Midwest travel: Events and exhibits worth visiting

Dig IN: A Taste of Indiana, Indianapolis. Local farmers, chefs, brewers and vintners offer tastings. There will also be panels and cooking demonstrations along with entertainment.

Dig IN: A Taste of Indiana, Indianapolis. Local farmers, chefs, brewers and vintners offer tastings. There will also be panels and cooking demonstrations along with entertainment. (WhonPhoto)

Phil Marty, Special to Tribune Newspapers

Dig in for a Taste of Indiana

Illinois

Aug. 15-17: Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival, Rochelle. During this 17th annual event there will be a classic car show, parade, food, a beer garden, live entertainment and more. tinyurl.com/q87aql8. Miles from Chicago: 85

Aug. 15-17: Balloon Fest, Centralia. More than 40 hot-air balloons will take to the sky in the daytime, and the evening will bring nightglows. Also a car show, entertainment, fireworks, cardboard boat races and other activities. 618-532-6789, balloon-fest.com. Miles from Chicago: 270

Indiana

Aug. 14-24: IndyFringe Festival, Indianapolis. The Mass Ave Cultural District downtown is the site for more than 60 groups to put on nearly 400 performances at eight venues. There will be dance, drama, comedy, magic and more. 317-869-6660, indyfringe.org. Miles from Chicago: 185

Aug. 17: Dig IN: A Taste of Indiana, Indianapolis. Local farmers, chefs, brewers and vintners offer tastings. There will also be panels and cooking demonstrations, along with entertainment. digindiana.org. Miles from Chicago: 185

Aug. 22-24: Winding Creek Bluegrass Festival, Russiaville. Marty Raybon and the Clay Hess Band are among this year's performers, and there will be banjo, mandolin, fiddle and guitar workshops. Camping is available too. windingcreekbluegrass.com. Miles from Chicago: 150

Iowa

Aug. 15-17: Old Time Power Show, Cedar Falls. Antique Acres hosts this show of antique farm equipment, tractor pulls, a parade of power and flea market. Plenty of food and space to camp. 319-987-2380, antiqueacres.org. Miles from Chicago: 310

Michigan

Aug. 17: Pure Michigan 400, Brooklyn. NASCAR fans flock to the Michigan International Speedway for this race that's part of the Sprint Cup Series. Qualifying will be on the 15th, and the Camping World Truck Series is the 16th. 800-354-1010, tinyurl.com/nr6w2xg. Miles from Chicago: 225

Aug. 22-23: Seventh annual Traverse City Summer Microbrew & Music Festival. Nearly 50 breweries will offer up roughly 200 beers, and there will be live music and lots of eats. tcbeerfest.com. Miles from Chicago: 320

Missouri

Aug. 29-31: Kansas City Irish Fest. Thirty bands playing Celtic rock and traditional Irish music will be on hand, and there will be more than 20 heritage workshops. Genealogy experts can help trace your Irish roots, and there will be plenty of Irish food and drink. kcirishfest.com. Miles from Chicago: 510

Ohio

Aug. 23-24: Celina Governor's Cup Regatta. More than 30,000 spectators line the shores of Grand Lake St. Marys to watch inboard hydroplanes blast around the one-mile course. After Saturday's racing there's live music. 419-394-1294, celinaevents.com. Miles from Chicago: 225

Wisconsin

Aug. 16: HarborPark Jazz & Blues Festival, Kenosha. Jazz, funk and soul music are on tap along the lakeshore at Celebration Place for this annual fundraiser for the Mahone Fund. Featured artists this year are Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp and Paul Jackson Jr. mahonefund.org. Miles from Chicago: 65